(Minghui.org) Articles from the 9th China Fahui on Minghui have had a positive impact on practitioners overseas and in China. Although the experiences and circumstances of the authors differ from those encountered by overseas practitioners, the improvement in understanding the Fa principles, breakthroughs regarding many human notions, and the habit of viewing things from the Fa at all times influenced practitioners overseas. It also encouraged them to find their shortcomings and be diligent in cultivation.
Below are some of the experiences shared by practitioners in Germany.
From North to South, Practitioners Improve as a Whole Body
Wendy lives in a metropolitan area of northern Germany. When talking about her experience of reading the articles, she felt that she had been cleansed by the author’s firm belief in Dafa.
“I haven’t read the Minghui website for a while. I excused myself by saying that I was too busy. Fortunately my fellow practitioners reminded me to read the experience sharing articles written by practitioners in China. I found time to read them. Nothing happens for no reason. I think Teacher hinted to me through my fellow practitioner not to miss this opportunity to compare in studying the Fa and in cultivation. Their articles greatly helped and inspired me.
“Interestingly, the situations described in their articles during Fa validation, their cultivation environments, or the tribulations they encounter are very similar to mine. I admire their righteous thoughts, deeds, and calmness they described when facing tests of life and death. They could only achieve that with a solid foundation from steadfast cultivation. For example, one practitioner was severely injured in a car accident. He completely recovered without going to the hospital. His wife, also a practitioner, said, “Since I started practicing Falun Gong, I've firmly believed every word Teacher said.” Tears ran down my face as I read this. I see the distance between myself and the practitioners in China.
“I also felt the pure and clean minds of the authors from reading their articles. Every word manifested powerful and magnificent compassion. Oftentimes I would get tears in my eyes as soon as I started reading the articles. I felt their compassion and the power of their words and deeds through the Fa. Through this, I also realized the magnificence of Dafa cultivation.
“When I do the three things, I often see it as a formality or indulge in certain things the same as everyday people. Although I was doing the three things on the surface, I was not doing them with my heart. I sometimes didn’t even realize this. The experience sharing articles are like a mirror that reflect my problems. They reminded me from different perspectives.”
Wendy said, “In the Fa conference, many practitioners shared things that seemed to be trivial and not so magnificent. However, they tried to do things well in each and every detail, and improve steadfastly. One practitioner shared her experience of rectifying her every thought and looking inward when she was detained. As a result, she was soon released. Another practitioner had conflicts with others when producing Shen Yun DVDs. He looked inside and checked his every thought, and eventually his conflicts were resolved. Another senior practitioner repeatedly clarified the truth about Falun Gong to the officials in the 610 Office and the Political and Legal Affairs Committee. Because of her persistence, many people came to know the truth and no longer participated in the persecution. The deputy secretary said that she was bold and dared to say anything. Others called her Sister Jiang and Liu Hulan. She replied, 'I am neither Sister Jiang nor Liu Hulan. They are products of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). I am a messenger of the gods.' Her words inspired me because she pointed out the sacredness of saving sentient beings and the magnificence of being a Dafa cultivator. It seems to be ordinary in this dimension, but in other dimensions, it can be very magnificent.”
Practitioners in China firmly cultivate in that special environment. While spreading the truth about Falun Gong, they need to balance family and cultivation. Their immense compassion and tolerance greatly inspired Jing, who lives in central Germany. She instantly thought about how to improve her relationship with her in-laws.
“Many articles mentioned relationships with in-laws. Although I get along with my mother-in-law, after reading the articles I see my shortcomings. For example, I was not very considerate and didn’t call often. After reading the articles, I asked my son and daughter to draft a simple email message to Grandpa and Grandma (their Chinese is not so good). I then added the children’s recent activities, and included their recent photos. The next day, my mother-in-law called me and we had a good long chat.”
She was impressed by how practitioners in China treasured time. “I am very touched by practitioners in China who seize every second to save sentient beings, and I realized that I could do better in time management. However, because of human notions and attachments, I felt a lack of energy. For example, if I slept less and got tired the next day, a human notion would surface – 'I didn’t get enough sleep last night.' I then realized that this notion was not right and tried to eliminate it. Sometimes, I could stay up late to study the Fa and do the exercises. However, I was lazy and would rest at other times. After time passed, I would regret it.
“I always thought that I did well in Fa study and only realized that I had fallen behind after I read the articles. I was only better than those who studied very little. Therefore, I started intensive Fa study two weeks ago. I read the Fa with fellow practitioners for several hours two days a week. It is very beneficial. Some problems that I had not been able to solve for a long time were solved during Fa study. After I finished Fa study, those problems became very distant.
“A practitioner went to her hometown to reconnect with former practitioners who had taken a deviant path. Although such scenarios are scarce in overseas countries because we don’t face such tremendous pressure, there are other forms of interference. For example, some practitioners passed away because of illnesses. I realize that we also should care for these practitioners. No matter how busy we are, we cannot ignore them, because they are our fellow practitioners. We made a promise to come to the earth to assist Teacher in validating Dafa.”
Ting, who lives in the southern part of Germany, said, “Although the senior practitioners in China are not well-educated, they have a very good understanding of Dafa. Nothing can interfere with their firm belief in Teacher. Some senior practitioners from the rural counties especially, are very pure, thus it’s easier for them to understand and assimilate to the Fa. Without much impurity or concern, their only thought is to validate the Fa and save sentient beings. When they bear hardships, they are clear-minded. They are truly respectful. Only when they let go of life and death can they achieve such status.
“More and more young practitioners or former little practitioners are saving sentient beings in their own environments. In a society full of temptations and interferences, it is not easy for them to keep clear and righteous thoughts!
“I feel that for those practitioners who are steady on their paths, cultivation has rooted deeply in every detail of their lives. They only look inward and cultivate themselves. Another practitioner shared her experience in reconnecting with former practitioners. I was deeply touched by her selflessness. Dafa practitioners are a whole body. If one falls behind, others have the responsibility to remind and help him to come back.”
Western Practitioners Admire Practitioners in China
Several Western practitioners mentioned that the articles were pure and simple, and that the words and ideas were easy to understand.
Nina was born and raised in northern Germany. She felt that the “words were purer compared to those of previous Fa conferences. They simply documented their path of how they overcame fear and other attachments during tribulations with their righteous thoughts.
“I can feel their pure hearts. It takes enormous courage and righteousness for practitioners in China to step forward in such a dangerous situation. They were completely assimilated to the Fa. Thus they could feel that Teacher was protecting them. Some overcame their fear and others didn’t even have any fear. Through righteous thoughts and deeds, they completely changed their environment.
“While sustaining enormous suffering, practitioners in China still selflessly cared for their families and neighbors. They followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I am truly touched. They always look for answers in the Fa in all circumstance. I am very impressed.
“In the article entitled 'The Days with Teacher,' the practitioner described struggling to let go of the attachment to sentimentality. Later Teacher took the bad substance away from her. I deeply felt Teacher's immense compassion.”
Christine is a speech therapist. She enjoys reading experience sharings about the early days when they first started practicing Dafa. In an article entitled “Cultivate Self in Assisting Teacher to Validate Dafa,” the author describes carrying her three-year-old child to go buy the Dafa books. She visited five or six bookstores. Christine was deeply moved. She said, “It is so easy for us to get the Dafa books. However, we still quarrel over 'how should we translate this word or that sentence.' We should compare ourselves to them and recognize their strong sense of righteousness.”
“In the article “Walking out from the Party Culture and Fundamental Attachments,” the story about the author and her boss was very funny. She seemed so calm and peaceful. I truly wish I could do well in my work like her.
“I benefitted a lot from the article “Thank My Neighbor for Giving Me Opportunity to Improve My Xinxing.” I would like to recommend it to other practitioners. The author was very calm when facing issues involving self interest. I reflected on it and thought about my own behavior. I often asked, 'What attachments do I still have? Have I improved?' I tried to manage my life in an orderly fashion, however my attachments didn’t have a chance to surface. No wonder I didn’t feel that I improved much. I am thankful to the author. I need to view things from a different angle.”
Alex is an inspector in a food company. He said, “After reading the articles, I feel that the practitioners in China are very mature. Every article touched my heart from a different perspective. For example, in the article 'Be Diligent and More Diligent in Dafa Cultivation,' the author eliminated her fear of death during the tribulation of disease karma. She didn’t recognize the arrangements of the old forces. After she and her mother, also a practitioner, calmed down, they realized that the old forces were using the loophole of their sentimentality and fear, which caused her father to commit wrongdoing against Dafa.
“Another practitioner realized that studying the Fa well helped to better save sentient beings, assist Teacher, and validate Dafa. In other words, Fa study was not just for us. It inspired me. In the article 'Gods’ Messenger,' the author persistently clarified the truth to the officials in the Politics and Legal Affairs Committee and the 610 Office. Because of his firm belief in Teacher and a pure heart in saving sentient beings, he was able to escape from a most vicious location.
“In the article 'Selflessly Help Fellow Practitioners; Improve as a Whole Body,' the author felt unwell after he got angry during the day. I realized that I also can’t help complaining about others sometimes, and I lack a firm belief in Teacher and Dafa. The environment is very different in China. If the practitioners have even slight loopholes, they could be in danger. Through this experience sharing, I truly hope that I can do better and be more effective in saving sentient beings. I will also be more determined in believing in Teacher.”
